Navigating the Storm Together – Keys to Success in Challenging Times

As we recover from the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, we want to take a moment to reflect on the resilience and teamwork that have helped our school community weather the storm. While Warrigal Road State School thankfully sustained little damage, we were without power on Monday morning, making the return to normal operations a challenge.

In times like these, we are reminded of the importance of our You Can Do It! program’s Keys to Success: Resilience, Confidence, Organisation, Getting Along, and Persistence. These life skills are not just lessons for our students but guiding principles for all of us as we navigate unexpected challenges.

• Resilience – Our school community has shown incredible strength, bouncing back quickly and supporting one another through the disruptions.
• Confidence – We trust in our ability to adapt, problem-solve, and remain positive, even when things don’t go to plan.
• Organisation – Careful planning ensured we were as prepared as possible for the cyclone, allowing a smooth transition back to school.
• Getting Along – The way staff, students, and families have come together to support each other has been truly inspiring.
• Persistence – Even without power, our commitment to learning and routine remained strong.

A huge thank you to The Groundsmen, Mario and Luigi (AKA Dave and Trev) Ms Cathy Colman (Acting Principal), Mrs Allyson Stephens (Business Manager), and all our dedicated staff for their hard work in preparing the school for the cyclone and ensuring our students’ safety and well-being. Your efforts, both seen and unseen, are deeply appreciated.

As we move forward, we encourage families to talk with their children about the importance of resilience and staying positive during difficult times. These are the very skills that will help them thrive not just in school but throughout life.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we can handle any storm!

NAPLAN Arrangements

NAPLAN will commence for Year 3 and 5 from Monday next week. following it the updated timetable for our students:

TERM 1 ACTIVITIES

It is critical that payments are made and consent granted via QParents by the due date, which is a week earlier than the event itself.  The school needs this time to finalise arrangements for buses, venues, etc and ensure that teachers are provided with accurate lists of participating students.  Requests for late payments cannot be accommodated, so please make sure that you have responded by the due date.

We have a number of payment arrangements available which can help make payments more manageable.  We have many families currently taking advantage of these arrangements.  If you would like further information, please contact the Business Manager.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office.

Qparents notification

STUDENT ABSENCE PHONE LINE - 33405360

EMAIL: absences@warrigalroadss.eq.edu.au

Absences from school for 11 days or more require an exemption application to be submitted with supporting documentation.  

INDIAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS

We are starting a community group chat through WhatsApp. If you would like to be part of our community to make connections and understand more about our school then please join. Click the below link to join.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbbAvgMb4mBFGCfUvQXiKs

? ਸਾਰੇ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਸਮੁਦਾਇਕ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਧਿਆਨ!

ਅਸੀਂ WhatsApp 'ਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਸਮੁਦਾਇਕ ਗਰੁੱਪ ਚੈਟ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ।
ਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਮੁਦਾਇਕ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਕੂਲ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਧੇਰੇ ਜਾਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ਸਾਡਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਬਣੋ।
ਹੇਠਾਂ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਲਿੰਕ 'ਤੇ ਕਲਿੱਕ ਕਰਕੇ ਗਰੁੱਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੋਵੋ।               

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbbAvgMb4mBFGCfUvQXiKs

? सभी भारतीय समुदाय के सदस्यों के लिए ध्यान दें!

हम WhatsApp पर एक सामुदायिक समूह चैट शुरू कर रहे हैं।
यदि आप हमारे समुदाय का हिस्सा बनकर कनेक्ट होना चाहते हैं और हमारे स्कूल के बारे में अधिक जानना चाहते हैं, तो कृपया शामिल हों।
समूह से जुड़ने के लिए नीचे दिए गए लिंक पर क्लिक करें।        

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbbAvgMb4mBFGCfUvQXiKs                   

? તમામ ભારતીય સમુદાયના સભ્યો માટે મહત્વપૂર્ણ જાહેરાત!

અમે WhatsApp પર એક સમુદાય ગ્રૂપ ચેટ શરૂ કરી રહ્યા છીએ.
જો તમે આપણા સમુદાયનો હિસ્સો બનીને કનેક્ટ થવા અને અમારી શાળાને વધુ સારી રીતે સમજવા માંગતા હો, તો કૃપા કરીને જોડાઓ.
ગ્રૂપમાં જોડાવા માટે નીચે આપેલ લિંક પર ક્લિક કરો.        

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbbAvgMb4mBFGCfUvQXiKs                     

Melissa MAHAL

Upcoming Eastern Taipans District School Sport Trials (10-12 years ONLY)

If you wish to nominate your child (born 2013-2015) in a particular sport, please email Miss Currie (scurr72@eq.edu.au) at least 3 weeks prior to the trial date (wherever possible). Each school is only allowed to send 2 students to trial. Only students displaying quality skill levels will be sent to trial. Most team selections pick one team which covers a 10-12yr age group bracket. There are not individual teams for each age group.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

YEARS 4-6 CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING

Leading up to the Senior Cross Country Carnival on Friday 21^st March, students in Year 4-6 are invited to attend Cross Country training before school. All interested students are to meet at the rock wall on the oval at 8:15am on:

• Week 7 - Friday 14^th March
• Week 8 –Wednesday 19^th March

Students are to bring hats and water bottles and will train until 8:40am.

CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVALS – FRIDAY 21^ST MARCH

Our P-6 Cross Country Carnival is just around the corner. All parents are welcome to come and support the children at our Cross Country Carnivals on Friday 21^st March. Times are below:

• Year 4-6 Cross Country Carnival (9am – 11am)
• Prep & Year 1 Cross Country Carnival (12pm – 1:15pm)
• Year 2&3 Cross Country Carnival (2pm – 3pm)

EASTERN TAIPANS DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

Some of our 10-12 years students have been busy trialling for various district teams. I would like to congratulate the following student for being selected in the Eastern Taipans District Team.

• AFL – Penny M.

We wish Penny all the very best at the upcoming Regional Trials.

MISS SARAH CURRIE – SPORTS COORDINATOR

“Music is the electric power that charges the soul, illuminating the darkness of our hearts and minds.”

What an intense week we’ve just had! I hope this message finds you all safe and well after the challenges we've faced together during Cyclone Alfred. It’s important to take a moment to acknowledge the impact such events can have on our mental health. As we recover and navigate through this, remember that looking after our well-being is just as important as the physical recovery.

I'm happy to let you know that music rehearsals and lessons will be back to normal in Week 8. I look forward to seeing you all there and continuing to support each other as we move forward.

Take care. We’re in this together.

NAPLAN AND MUSIC

We will have our normal rehearsals during Weeks 8 and 9. Please try to maintain your usual routine before school, as music can help stimulate the brain and reduce unnecessary stress, preparing you for NAPLAN.

To help students get ready for the day, we will finish rehearsals a little earlier, giving everyone time to prepare before school. Once the NAPLAN timetable is released, we will adjust instrumental lesson schedules accordingly to accommodate students.

Additionally, students might find it helpful to bring a piece of fruit, like a banana, to eat before entering the classroom. Studies show that bananas can improve learning efficiency and boost exam scores. They are also rich in vitamin B6, which helps promote the production of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine—neurotransmitters that support concentration.

WHITE PERFORMANCE SHIRTS DISTRIBUTION

White performance shirts will be distributed to students who have paid the shirt resource scheme.

Please note that we will only be available from 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM on each scheduled day, as we are required to teach students afterwards, and students need to be in their class and ready for roll marking.

Thank you to the following volunteers who can help distribute the white shirts. Can you please sign in as a volunteer at the office first before heading down to the Uniform Shop. If there is anyone who would like to volunteer to help in week 9 that would be a great help,  please email music1@warrigalroadss.eq.edu.au and I will add you to the list.

If the line closes before your child has received their shirt, you may need to come the following day when the uniform shop is open.

Students in Junior Strings, Thomastik Orchestra, Concert Winds, Boys Chorus, and Wind Ensemble wear green rugger shorts/culottes with their white performance shirt.

Students in Senior Choir, Corelli Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphonic Band need to purchase black pants from the Uniform Shop (limited second-hand pants are also available for sale).

Black pants are on sale from this week 7.

Students need to look uniform, so we ask that black pants are only purchased from the Uniform Shop.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

All emails are to be directed to the following address.

music1@warrigalroadss.eq.edu.au

In all emails, your child’s name and class will need to be included in the subject heading

Robyn Kelly, Director of Music

  As at 14^th March 2025